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In order to determine companies to buy Vista Microsoft has released a set of new tools that will help them migrate from the old operating system.

Microsoft unveiled a free 30-day virtual test version of Windows Vista Enterprise Edition at its Tech Ed conference. It allows firms to kick the software's tires without requiring testers to install the software.The test software requires Microsoft Virtual Server, which is available as a free download.

The company also released a data encryption toolkit that assists IT administrators in setting up and enforcing companywide data security policies for notebook computers. The toolkit works with Vista's Bitlocker technology, a hard disk encryption technology that aims to prevent data leaks when a notebook is lost or stolen. Bitlocker requires a trusted platform module (TPM) chip.
The software assurance pack also includes SoftGrid Application Virtualization, a tool that Microsoft acquired in July 2006 through the purchase of Softricity. The software allows firms to deliver applications from a virtual application server.

The technology could benefit firms that are experiencing application compatibility issues on Vista because the application runs independent from the client's operating system.

A marketing programme that links users with third party service providers rounds out Microsoft's pushing enterprises towards Vista.
Vista's lacking enterprise adoption is a moral defeat for Microsoft, but in the short term is unlikely to affect the company's bottom line. Many large businesses have signed up for the Software Assurance subscription plan that provides them access to all Windows versions at their convenience.